Lulus vs. Lululemon: What's the difference?

Lulus is an online fashion destination for trendy, affordable occasion wear like dresses and tops, focused on current styles for a younger audience. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium athletic apparel brand known for its high-performance, technical activewear and athleisure designed for durability and comfort.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe.

Lulus: The Go-To for Trendy & Affordable Fashion

Lulus is a popular online retailer that offers a vast collection of chic and contemporary women's clothing, specializing in dresses for weddings, parties, and everyday wear. Their target customer is typically a young woman who wants to stay on-trend without spending a lot of money, making Lulus a primary source for affordable yet stylish outfits for nearly any social event.

• Product mix: Extensive selection of dresses (for bridesmaids, wedding guests, parties, and casual wear), tops, skirts, jumpsuits, shoes, and accessories. The brand is built on fast fashion, constantly releasing new, on-trend styles.
• Price point: Very budget-friendly. Most dresses range from $50 to $100, while tops and skirts are often available for under $60.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Feminine, fresh, and often flirty. Expect to find floral prints, modern silhouettes, bold colors, and styles that directly reflect current fashion trends.
• Quality: The quality is good for the price point, designed for style rather than longevity. Fabrics are typically lightweight synthetics like polyester and rayon, suitable for making a statement at an event but not intended for athletic performance.
• Sizing/Fit: Lulus offers standard women's sizes, usually from XS to XL. Fit can sometimes be inconsistent between different items, so shoppers should read reviews and consult the specific size chart for each product.
• Sales: Holds frequent sales events and offers a large sale section, making it easy to find fashionable pieces at a significant discount.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of unworn items within 30 days for a refund, with a return shipping fee deducted.

Lulus is the clear choice for shoppers needing a fashionable, budget-conscious outfit for a specific event or who want to add trendy pieces to their wardrobe.

Shop Lulus: lulus.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Performance Activewear

Lululemon has built a loyal following as a top-tier brand for athletic apparel and athleisure. It focuses on creating high-quality, technically advanced activewear that excels during workouts and transitions seamlessly into everyday life. Its customers value performance, comfort, and a minimalist aesthetic, and are happy to invest in gear that lasts.

• Product mix: Specializes in leggings, sports bras, yoga mats, running shorts, tank tops, jackets, and accessories for both men and women. They continuously innovate on fabrics and fits for activities like yoga, running, and training.
• Price point: Premium. Leggings typically cost between $98 and $128, sports bras from $48 to $78, and jackets often exceed $150.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Modern, sleek, and minimalist. The brand focuses on clean lines, flattering fits, and a color palette of sophisticated neutrals complemented by seasonal colors.
• Quality: Exceptional quality and durability are cornerstones of the brand. Lululemon is known for its proprietary technical fabrics like smoothing Luon, buttery-soft Nulu (for Align leggings), and sweat-wicking Everlux.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for having very consistent, true-to-size fits. Sizing ranges from 0 to 20, and their athletic fit is designed to support and move with the body during exercise.
• Sales: Sales are rare. The main opportunity for discounts is the "We Made Too Much" section, which is the brand's year-round clearance collection. Major sale events are uncommon.
• Return policy: Offers free returns on unworn merchandise within 30 days, both online and in-store.

Lululemon is the go-to for anyone who takes their workouts seriously and wants reliable, high-performance athletic wear that also looks great for casual activities.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Lulus vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a massive price gap between these two brands. Lulus is a budget-friendly fashion retailer where you can easily find a complete outfit for under $100. Their frequent sales provide even more ways to save.

Lululemon operates in the premium activewear market. Their prices reflect their investment in research, proprietary fabric technology, and excellent construction. A single pair of leggings at Lululemon costs more than an entire outfit from Lulus, and discounts are limited.

Quality & Materials

Quality directly relates to each brand's purpose. Lulus uses standard fashion fabrics like polyester, rayon, and lace that look great and are suited for social occasions, but they aren't engineered for performance or long-term durability with frequent wear.

Lululemon's reputation is built on its materials. Fabrics like Nulu and Everlux are patented, designed to wick sweat, maintain their shape, withstand intense friction, and provide a specific tactile experience ("buttery-soft," "cool-to-the-touch"). This is technical apparel meant to last through years of workouts.

Style & Aesthetic

Lulus is all about what's new and now in fashion. Their styles are feminine, trendy, and occasion-based, perfect for parties, vacations, and nights out. Think floral maxi dresses, sequin tops, and chic jumpsuits.

Lululemon’s aesthetic is sleek, sporty, and understated. The focus is on function-driven design with a minimalist look that has defined the athleisure category. Their pieces are versatile enough to wear from a yoga class to brunch without looking out of place.

Fit & Sizing

Lululemon offers incredibly consistent sizing across its product line, with a fit designed to be compressive and supportive for athletic movement. Their range typically spans from 0-20.

Lulus' sizing can be less consistent. As a retailer that sources a wide variety of styles, the fit may vary from one dress to the next. Reading customer reviews and checking individual sizing charts is often necessary to find the perfect fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

As a fast-fashion brand, Lulus has a more significant environmental footprint due to its high-volume, trend-driven model. While they have introduced some eco-friendly initiatives, sustainability is not a core part of their brand identity.

Lululemon has made more substantial public commitments to sustainability, including using recycled materials, working towards a circular economy, and providing supply chain transparency. As a premium brand, they face scrutiny to uphold these ethical standards.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to exactly what you need a new outfit for.

Choose Lulus if:

• You need an affordable and stylish dress for a wedding, party, or vacation.
• You love keeping up with the latest fashion trends and updating your wardrobe seasonally.
• Your budget for an entire outfit is under $150.
• You prioritize aesthetic and style for social events over performance and function.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You are looking for high-quality activewear for yoga, running, training, or other athletic activities.
• You are willing to invest in durable apparel that will maintain its fit and function over many years.
• You value technical features like sweat-wicking fabrics, four-way stretch, and supportive compression.
• Your personal style leans minimalist, sporty, and versatile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lulus or Lululemon cheaper?

Lulus is significantly cheaper. It is an affordable fast-fashion retailer where dresses and outfits typically cost between $50 and $100. Lululemon is a premium activewear brand where a single item like leggings often costs over $100.

Which brand is better for dresses?

Lulus specializes in dresses. They offer a massive selection for all occasions, from casual day dresses to formal floor-length gowns. While Lululemon offers a few sporty dresses, its core business is activewear.

What is Lululemon best known for?

Lululemon is world-famous for its yoga leggings, specifically the buttery-soft Align Pant made from their patented Nulu fabric. The brand is synonymous with high-quality, comfortable, and stylish activewear.

Are Lulus and Lululemon the same company?

No, they are completely separate and unrelated companies. They serve entirely different markets and purposes, with Lulus focusing on women's fashion and Lululemon on performance athletic wear for men and women.

How does Lululemon sizing run?

Lululemon sizing is very consistent and generally considered true to size. However, the fit is specifically designed for athletic activity, meaning it's often snug and compressive. If you are between sizes, some customers prefer to size up for a more comfortable, "athleisure" fit.

Does Lulus sell activewear?

No, Lulus does not specialize in technical activewear. Their clothing is designed for casual wear and social events, not for workouts. For performance apparel, Lululemon is the correct choice.

Can you return items to both Lulus and Lululemon?

Yes, both brands have a 30-day return policy for unworn items with tags attached. Lululemon offers free returns, while Lulus typically deducts a shipping fee from the refund.

Which brand has better quality?

Lululemon has higher quality in terms of construction, fabric technology, and durability. Their products are engineered for performance and longevity. Lulus offers good quality for its price point as a fashion brand, but the items are not designed to endure the same wear and tear as technical athletic apparel.